Prep Football: After tough loss, Camdenton preparing for rival Lebanon

Camdenton's Louis Leonarduzzi gets amped up during player introductions prior to last Friday night's game against West Plains in Camdenton.
Camdenton's Louis Leonarduzzi gets amped up during player introductions prior to last Friday night's game against West Plains in Camdenton.

Camdenton is coming off of a tough loss to West Plains in which they missed the game-tying extra point after a late touchdown.

The matchup against West Plains matchup was tight for four quarters and they'll likely have a similar game tonight as they face off against Lebanon.

Last week Camdenton played without two key players in WR Jake Hill and FB/LB Brett Kellock and they will be without those two again this week. There is still no update as to the severity of their knee injuries or how long they will be out.

Several players stepped up for Hill and Kellock against West Plains. Michael Terry and Jackson Ezard both caught touchdown passes with Hill out and a rotation of linebackers filled in for Kellock, including senior Trevor Smith.

This week it's all about stopping the run for the Lakers. Lebanon has a stable of capable runners, including their quarterback Luke Winfrey. At running back Brandon Horsley and Adrian Palmer split the load and have both run effectively this season. This is a different approach than Lebanon has taken offensively in years past, so Camdenton's head coach Jeff Shore has to game plan against them defensively a little differently than he has before.

"They've changed over, they're running the football. The previous years, they've thrown it a considerable amount from the spread," said Shore of Lebanon. "They've kinda changed over and they're running what I call a flexbone or wishbone offense now, so a little different look for them ... we've gotta stop the run, that's number one."

Shore stressed sticking to their assignments against the run. Lebanon's option offense will make things difficult for Camdenton if they aren't able to do that. This is especially important without a defensive leader like Kellock in the lineup. Parker Stidham and Carter Williams will be filling in for Kellock at linebacker. Shore is hoping their size and smarts will help stop the run.

On the offensive side of the football, the Lakers will be challenged by a very aggressive defense that is looking to get into the backfield and make big plays. Their pass rush has forced opposing quarterbacks into bad throws to the tune of five interceptions in just two games.

"They're aggressive," said Shore of the Lebanon defense. "Their answer to everything is aggression. We're gotta make sure we're disciplined on the line of scrimmage, change up our snap counts so they don't get a run on us and we've gotta do things well running the football."

Last week, Camendton's biggest struggle was converting in the red zone. The Lakers led the matchup from a yardage perspective, but were unable to punch it into the end zone on a couple of trips to the red zone. They'll need to convert those plays if they want to see a different result as last week.

This matchup against Lebanon will likely be another tight matchup for Camdenton, as rivalry games like this tend to be.

"I think this game is a really great rivalry game. I don't know that we have an advantage in (any area) but I don't know if they do either," Shore said.

With a tight game like it should be tonight, it may be another game that comes down to the leg of Michael Hake. Shore said that in a tight situation, he won't be afraid to give Hake another shot.

"I have full confidence in him," said Shore of his kicker. "He's a competitor."

Camdenton at Lebanon - Updates on Twitter: @lkrathletics. Listen live online: mix927.com

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Camdenton vs. Lebanon